Christopher Lee Wetherington
Christopher Lee Wetherington, a 33-year-old man from Cove City, was held at the Craven County jail in May 2015, where his mental state declined sharply, according to jail records. Relatives say he had two daughters, ages 9 and 15, grew up in the New Bern area, and that a stepsister described him as a people pleaser who never found a stable place. Jail records show his lithium, a medication for bipolar disorder, reached dangerous levels, and his family says he was not sent to the hospital for several days. He was taken to the hospital and died in intensive care on May 12, 2015, with the medical examiner's investigation listing lithium toxicity as the cause. His family says jail staff let him lie in his cell and die, and Craven County paid $50,000 in 2016 to settle a claim over his death.
Cause of death, as reported: Died from neglect by staff (disputed). Jail records show his lithium reached dangerous levels and he was not sent to the hospital for several days, and his family says jail staff let him lie in his cell and die, while a 2016 county settlement of $50,000 followed a claim over his death.
Reported by: Craven County jail records (the agency that held him); medical examiner's investigation (medical examiner or coroner); his family; North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
Lawsuit: His family sued Craven County and settled for $50,000 in 2016.